Comments on: The sunsets were purple and red and yellow...http://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow/
Comments on MetaFilter post The sunsets were purple and red and yellow...Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:47:02 -0800Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:47:02 -0800en-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60The sunsets were purple and red and yellow...http://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow
<a href="http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/189113371.html">Not little fluffy clouds in Arizona, but little squishy, um...orbs.</a> <em>In the desert near Tuscon, thousands of tiny purple spheres have appeared, isolated from the rest of the terrain. The mysterious objects, described as being like "gooey marbles that ooze out a water substance when squished," have yet to be identified.</em>post:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:45:44 -0800davebushpurplespheresdesertarizonaBy: limeonairehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818013
Oooo, mystery! And they're pretty. Neat!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818013Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:47:02 -0800limeonaireBy: Rhaomihttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818015
<a href="http://www.kgun9.com/multimedia/videos/?bctid=2135307975001">Update</a>: <em>After seeing our story about the purple orbs on Thursday, Daniel Bartels gave us a call. He was confident that the water beads he and his company, Canopy Corner, sell are the ones Gerardine Vargas found in Vail's desert on Sunday.</em>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818015Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:47:59 -0800RhaomiBy: limeonairehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818020
But <a href="http://theparanormalblog.tumblr.com/post/42163000061/mysterious-purple-spheres-appear-in-arizona">apparently they aren't a perfect match</a> for Canopy Corner's water beads, and the TV station covering this sent a sample of the orbs off for testing...comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818020Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:53:13 -0800limeonaireBy: davebushhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818021
*shakes fist* CHRISTO!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818021Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:53:27 -0800davebushBy: carsonbhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818026
Guy Atchley!
I wonder if the ones out in the desert are smaller and more faintly-colored than the water bead guy's because they've evaporated some?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818026Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:55:44 -0800carsonbBy: zachliptonhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818029
I love this coverage from the TV station. The pure childlike curiosity and glee (the update story even ends with one anchor describing her co-anchor as "like a child") they display in trying to unravel this minor mystery is great. All must be pretty darn well in a world where this is basically the priority focus for the local news for days straight! That world, I want to go to there.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818029Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:57:36 -0800zachliptonBy: Iosephushttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818030
Regardless of what the heck those things are, the article introduced two new strange concepts to me, jelly fungus and water beads. Huh.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818030Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:58:14 -0800IosephusBy: theperfectcrimehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818032
You don't see that. You might still see them in the desert.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818032Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:58:18 -0800theperfectcrimeBy: George_Spiggotthttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818033
Good lord, they found something containing water in Southern Arizona? Quick, build another golf course and an artificial lake!
Ha ha, just kidding. They don't need the excuse of actually finding water to do those things.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818033Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:59:29 -0800George_SpiggottBy: Fuzzy Monsterhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818037
RUN! RUN BEFORE THOSE THINGS HATCH!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818037Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:01:28 -0800Fuzzy MonsterBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818042
EGGS!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818042Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:05:29 -0800boo_radleyBy: Lipstick Thespianhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818043
They've discovered the orbs. They have reached the desert surface, and are now visible.
<em>Let them speculate - there's still time.
</em>
One of them has already claimed them as their own. Thoughts?
<em>Let them say what they will. The plan remains...</em>
Have you chosen one?
<em>We have. All it takes is a single transmission.</em>
Is the plan...stable?
<em>The plan is always...stable. The plan will outlive us all.</em>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818043Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:05:54 -0800Lipstick ThespianBy: louche mustachiohttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818045
POKE THEM WITH A STICK
It's the only way to be sure.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818045Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:07:44 -0800louche mustachioBy: mr_crash_davishttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818052
Dear AskMe: I found a fuckton of purple orbs out in the desert that ooze a liquid when squished. Should I eat them?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818052Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:18:31 -0800mr_crash_davisBy: maryrhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818053
So...I'm not the only one assuming this has something to do with meth, right?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818053Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:19:04 -0800maryrBy: dirigiblemanhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818055
I'm sure they're harmless, but all I can think of is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goi%C3%A2nia_accident">this</a>.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818055Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:19:27 -0800dirigiblemanBy: xingcathttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818058
I'm guessing it's molecular gastronomy. This was actually a basket on "Chopped":
<i>"Your ingredients are! Jelly fungus! Water! The desert! And corn nuts! Time starts now!"</i>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818058Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:20:38 -0800xingcatBy: workeranthttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818059
If nobody at the <a href="http://www.desertmuseum.org/">Arizona Sonora Desert Museum</a> knows what this stuff is, it's not of this earth.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818059Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:21:00 -0800workerantBy: weapons-grade pandemoniumhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818060
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8eekh0gnb1rdpiczo1_500.jpg">This guy</a> looks like he knows something.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818060Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:22:02 -0800weapons-grade pandemoniumBy: exogenoushttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818062
That's what the skies were like when you were young?! Oh, shit!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818062Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:23:16 -0800exogenousBy: crapmatichttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818063
"Jesse? I want you to answer me honestly. The past several times we've been out cooking, where have you been throwing out the lithium aluminum hydride?"comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818063Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:23:47 -0800crapmaticBy: nathancaswellhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818064
Probably just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjtdwcseT1Q">sky spider</a> eggs.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818064Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:24:00 -0800nathancaswellBy: maryrhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818069
The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, by the way, is fantastic.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818069Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:28:39 -0800maryrBy: scalefreehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818072
Where I'm from, we call purple globes that squish out water "grapes".comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818072Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:34:55 -0800scalefreeBy: jeffamaphonehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818073
Are these those amazeballs I keep hearing about?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818073Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:37:36 -0800jeffamaphoneBy: George_Spiggotthttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818075
<i>Where I'm from, we call purple globes that squish out water "grapes".</i>
Where you're from you need a whole lot more of Jesus.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818075Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:39:25 -0800George_SpiggottBy: dejah420http://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818077
I will bet even money that those are trimethylated silica/silica silylate aerogels spheres which are carrying a load. Those beads will maintain structural integrity of their inner shell until the outer shell is either pierced or dissolved. Why someone dumped them in the desert, I do not know. Given that they can be safely used in bath and body formulas, they may not be toxic, but that cationic emulsifiers can add whole lot of things to the structure; I wouldn't touch them without gloves.
There is a similar product that is used to make room scents, but those products do not expand dramatically as they absorb fragrance loads, and once they have a scent load, the sphere is solid, and not easily broken.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818077Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:41:35 -0800dejah420By: blaneyphotohttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818083
Mutant Camel Spider Eggs, for sure. <small>or not.</small>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818083Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:44:28 -0800blaneyphotoBy: mollweidehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818085
So this is what a slow invasion looks like.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818085Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:45:24 -0800mollweideBy: ambulance blueshttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818095
Is anyone else thinking of<em> Breakfast Of Champions?</em>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818095Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:55:03 -0800ambulance bluesBy: Lipstick Thespianhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818096
<em>I will bet even money that those are trimethylated silica/silica silylate aerogels spheres which are carrying a load. Those beads will maintain structural integrity of their inner shell until the outer shell is either pierced or dissolved. Why someone dumped them in the desert, I do not know. Given that they can be safely used in bath and body formulas, they may not be toxic, but that cationic emulsifiers can add whole lot of things to the structure; I wouldn't touch them without gloves.
There is a similar product that is used to make room scents, but those products do not expand dramatically as they absorb fragrance loads, and once they have a scent load, the sphere is solid, and not easily broken.
posted by dejah420 at 6:41 PM on February 8 [+] [!]</em>
I do so admire dejah420 with so much of my wondrous, alchemical beating heart.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818096Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:55:46 -0800Lipstick ThespianBy: zompisthttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818099
And there's hamburger all over the highway in Mystic, Connecticut.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818099Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:56:53 -0800zompistBy: obiwanwasabihttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818103
<em>So this is what a slow invasion looks like.</em>
All y'all said I was crazy when I built this here transformin' missile-shootin' motorcycle-armor.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818103Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:59:20 -0800obiwanwasabiBy: surplushttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818108
Sorry, it was me. I threw the diaper out of the airplane. Looks like the gel coagulated into larger balls.
So you're rolling wet diaper gel around in your hands.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818108Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:06:20 -0800surplusBy: ormehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818116
I think I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001BWD4ZO/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/">the answer.</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818116Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:18:08 -0800ormeBy: jason_steakumshttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818117
Diaper... gel?
The idea of having children some day just keeps getting more terrifying.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818117Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:20:21 -0800jason_steakumsBy: mattoxichttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818119
<em>We spoke to Darlene Buhrow, director of marketing at Tucson Botanical Gardens, who's husband is a botanist. He said if these are something naturally occurring, they could be a slime mold or jelly fungus.
</em>
WOW! Lucky her husband is a botanist!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818119Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:22:29 -0800mattoxicBy: herrdoktorhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818121
Well, apparently, the source of Juffo-Wup is Tucson, AZ.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818121Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:24:55 -0800herrdoktorBy: seanmpucketthttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818123
So they are not paintballs?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818123Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:29:55 -0800seanmpuckettBy: dephlogisticatedhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818124
<i>You don't see that. You might still see them in the desert.</i>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qSvqrCNEk">You still see skies like that all the time</a>, when the weather's bad. Just look up. Bad sky. That's how it is.
I mean, the sky's not that important, really, in the long-term.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818124Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:30:07 -0800dephlogisticatedBy: warbabyhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818125
These are obviously the eggs the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_%28optics%29">RODS</a> hatched from!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818125Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:31:56 -0800warbabyBy: JHarrishttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818126
<small>and now an obscure joke no one will get</small>
Put Twinks around 'em, see if they float up in the air.
<small>I told you</small>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818126Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:33:36 -0800JHarrisBy: JHarrishttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818128
<small>I just did a search for "twinks" and found an unintended connotation. I think I should be explicit: my previous comment is intended as <a href="http://beanworld.wikia.com/wiki/The_Four_Realities">a Beanworld reference</a>.</small>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818128Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:36:06 -0800JHarrisBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818134
"whose"comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818134Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:41:42 -0800boo_radleyBy: Fuzzy Monsterhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818137
Don't worry, JHarris-- <a href="http://www.metafilter.com/105962/The-Curious-Case-of-the-Livre-des-Sauvages#3839733">you're among Beanworld fans</a>!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818137Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:44:24 -0800Fuzzy MonsterBy: RichardPhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818146
My guess is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_polyacrylate">sodium polyacrylate</a>.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818146Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:57:51 -0800RichardPBy: Devils Rancherhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818153
<em>I think I found the answer.
posted by orme</em>
Okay, which one of you knuckleheads wrote the Amazon review?
<blockquote>5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz up any desert! February 8, 2013
By E. Popener
There's a spot out in the Arizona desert that always looked to me like it needed a little "something". Well, I found the solution! Deco Beads! Sure, I had to buy A LOT of packets to make a noticeable difference (it's a big desert), but boy what a difference it made! Things are really starting to come together now, although I'm thinking a few scented candles would just make it perfect. We'll see!</blockquote>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818153Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:06:38 -0800Devils RancherBy: Strange Interludehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818154
This whole thing feels like the cryptic prelude to a season of Breaking Bad.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818154Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:06:49 -0800Strange InterludeBy: Katjusa Roquettehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818167
This guy looks like he knows something.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 6:22 PM on 2/8
[7 favorites −] Favorite added! [Flagged]
I have a game on my pod with frogs like that! He's adorable!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818167Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:25:54 -0800Katjusa RoquetteBy: fungiblehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818169
*shakes fist* HEISENBERG!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818169Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:31:09 -0800fungibleBy: phaedonhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818173
Next time someone says - "Well if there is such thing as alien aircraft, how come we haven't seen any evidence, like say, them dumping their shitter over the desert?" - you'll have an immediate comeback.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818173Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:36:07 -0800phaedonBy: Artwhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818176
This is that stuff that comes out of diapers if they get oversaturated with pee, right?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818176Fri, 08 Feb 2013 20:40:16 -0800ArtwBy: azpenguinhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818191
Ain't seen these in the desert around my house. And that disappoints me. Now I gotta go look for some this weekend.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818191Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:04:58 -0800azpenguinBy: stargellhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818208
Do not taunt!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818208Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:37:43 -0800stargellBy: Creosotehttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818217
<em>All must be pretty darn well in a world where this is basically the priority focus for the local news for days straight! That world, I want to go to there.</em>
I love Tucson and have been homesick for it for years, but unfortunately the typical local news stories about finds in the surrounding desert are <a href="http://azstarnet.com/news/local/man-s-body-found-in-desert-near-tucson/article_640a2d86-7264-11e2-901c-0019bb2963f4.html">rather more grim</a>.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818217Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:59:27 -0800CreosoteBy: rhhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818234
Could they just be unscented <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0081GLHC0/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/">air freshener</a> gels, a.k.a. "<a href="http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/candlemaking-soap-supplies/item/beads-1">aroma</a> <a href="http://www.target.com/c/air-fresheners-household-essentials-grocery/beads/-/N-5xsz0Z5ei6h">beads</a>"?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818234Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:24:51 -0800rhBy: rhhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818239
<em>Could they just be unscented air freshener gels, a.k.a. "aroma beads"?</em>
Huh, just watched the video and that was their guess at the end. When you add water to a tub of those things (yeah... I have), they expand significantly and take on a light, gooey texture. So, I'm guessing that some Arizonan scented-things-maker gave up on her Etsy dreams and dumped a bag load there.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818239Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:32:20 -0800rhBy: tinwhiskershttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818265
Could it be this? <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/03/blue-balls-mystery-solved-scientists">Mysterious blue balls that fell from the sky.</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818265Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:58:57 -0800tinwhiskersBy: maxweltonhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818269
<em>Mysterious blue balls that fell from the sky.</em>
But I never went skydiving in high school.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818269Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:10:49 -0800maxweltonBy: Goofyyhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818282
Tuscon, land of fond memories.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818282Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:50:50 -0800GoofyyBy: Prince Lazy Ihttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818348
The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the <a href="http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/189113371.html">piecing together</a> of <a href="http://gawker.com/5982891/meanwhile-in-brazil-its-raining-spiders">dissociated knowledge</a> will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the deadly light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818348Sat, 09 Feb 2013 04:53:32 -0800Prince Lazy IBy: phaedonhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818404
<i> Mysterious blue balls that fell from the sky.</i>
That's what I said to your mom!!!!!!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818404Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:12:35 -0800phaedonBy: snofoamhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818474
dephlogisticated, you made my day with that song. So many thanks!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818474Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:40:21 -0800snofoamBy: jfullerhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818478
&gt; Diaper... gel?
&gt;
&gt; The idea of having children some day just keeps getting more terrifying.
&gt; posted by jason_steakums at 10:20 PM on February 8 [3 favorites +] [!]
No fear, when you actually have 'em all that shit becomes Hello Kitty cute and hugable. Magic!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818478Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:44:14 -0800jfullerBy: ian1977http://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818480
Don't people use these to water plants kinda sorta? Maybe someone had a scheme to grow pot out in the desert but without having to drive out to water the plants every day?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818480Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:46:34 -0800ian1977By: Kronos_to_Earthhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818499
do not touch them
you will be assimilatedcomment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818499Sat, 09 Feb 2013 08:12:42 -0800Kronos_to_EarthBy: nathancaswellhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818515
<em>Well, apparently, the source of Juffo-Wup is Tucson, AZ.</em>
Star Control 2 reference wins the thread.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818515Sat, 09 Feb 2013 08:45:24 -0800nathancaswellBy: mubbahttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818541
I just hope someone has managed to alert the Doctor.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818541Sat, 09 Feb 2013 09:16:47 -0800mubbaBy: bongo_xhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818577
From one of the links;
<em>Why would someone buy a bunch of water beads just to dump them in the desert?</em>
Seriously? Does that person ever go out of the house?
<em>I love Tucson and have been homesick for it for years, but unfortunately the typical local news stories about finds in the surrounding desert are rather more grim.</em>
Growing up there "body found in the desert" was like "sunny, hot, chance of afternoon showers" on the news.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818577Sat, 09 Feb 2013 10:01:36 -0800bongo_xBy: amandahttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818747
Isn't there stories about rains of frogs <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raining_animals">and other animals</a> where the explanation was something along the lines of a tornado or other weather phenomenon picking them up, hurling them into the jet stream and then raining down elsewhere? Maybe some ocean cargo load of expando-beads gets lost at sea and then whipped up and tossed (wrathfully) onto Arizona.
On second thought...probably meth related.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818747Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:15:33 -0800amandaBy: Orbhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818941
How do we know the people who found them and reported it didn't toss them out there? You know, for attention. Not that I'm cynical or anything.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4818941Sat, 09 Feb 2013 16:28:40 -0800OrbBy: maryrhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4819118
Sorry, but I don't think we can trust the theories of someone called "Orb" on this one.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4819118Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:26:47 -0800maryrBy: Metroid Babyhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4819147
Those sound exactly like the "fruit caviar" balls they have at self-serve frozen yogurt places. Those things are delicious!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4819147Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:26:43 -0800Metroid BabyBy: stormpooperhttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4820991
Lick 'em.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4820991Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:08:26 -0800stormpooperBy: mike3khttp://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4824832
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/124783/The-sunsets-were-purple-and-red-and-yellow#4818055">this</a> is exactly what I thought of.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.124783-4824832Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:53:51 -0800mike3k